Ian’s absence was a kick in the teeth to British Masters
IT was very disappointing for the European Tour and the British Masters that Ian Poulter chose to make his comeback from injury far away at the Macau Open.
Ian has his own reasons for the decision. He wants to prepare for the PGA Tour event in Malaysia next week and felt Macau was the best option.
He has a medical exemption of 10 tournaments to keep his tour card, and obviously playing in America, where he is based, is his priority. I understand that.
But Poulter’s decision to tee it up at an event with a considerably smaller purse underlines the challenge the European Tour will continue to face.
Chief Executive Keith Pelley will struggle to make it a viable alternative to the PGA Tour if our biggest names don’t play in our best events.
The Tour, along with Sky Sports, was desperate to get the British Masters back on the calendar. It’s the ideal event to finish the golfing season in this country but it still needs a title sponsor.
Poulter will have been privy to these discussions last year when he was asked to be the host of the event at Woburn.
He threw himself into the role and it was a very successful week, culminating in him handing the trophy to Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Having been the host then, I really believe that Ian should have felt more of a conscience to be at The Grove to support the event.
In years gone by, Arnold Palmer often put aside more personal gains to play in events to help the PGA Tour grow.
Arnie recognised the bigger picture. If he was prepared to accept a short-term hit, everyone would benefit in the long run.
I’m not comparing the two. But Poulter has missed the bigger picture.
He is a big draw in the south of England and a cult figure thanks to his Ryder Cup heroics. Spectators want to cheer him on but they have been denied that opportunity at The Grove.
Having lost both Masters Champion Danny Willett and Olympic Champion Justin Rose because of injury, Poulter’s absence was a further blow.
The European Tour and Sky were determined to put on a great show at the British Masters and there were plenty of innovations.
The floodlit golf on Tuesday night was a success because they were expecting 500 people and 2000 turned up. That was very encouraging.
It’s all about improving the spectator experience. It’s a case of get them there and keep them there. It seems to have worked out for them.
But ‘gimmicks’ and new ideas stand or fall on the participation of big-name players. Whatever the format, the players will always be the draw.
I went to events as a kid because I wanted to see the pros in the flesh. That will never change.
That’s why I’m so disappointed with Poulter. He has been on the other side of the ropes as a fan but seems to have forgotten that.